Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the 52nd game of BBL11
Adelaide Strikers face Sydney Sixers in the 52nd game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.
The game is set for Monday, January 17. The first ball will be bowled at 4:35pm local time (6:05am GMT).
The game will be held at the Adelaide Oval.
This might be the final week of the group stage but there are still plenty of games with much riding on them.
This clash in Adelaide is no different, as the Sixers take on the Strikers.
Following a brief wobble, Sixers are back on track and are safely through to the playoffs.
They require five points from their remaining two games to guarantee themselves a berth in the Qualifier alongside table-toppers Perth Scorchers.
City rivals Sydney Thunder are the other side who could beat them to it but they need to overcome Melbourne Renegades by a healthy margin and hope other results go their way to claim second spot.
There is arguably much more on the line for Strikers, currently fourth in the table, with their playoff spot not yet secure.
This is the final chance to add to their tally. They're level with Hobart Hurricanes and two ahead of Melbourne Stars who still have to play each other.
Victory will be enough to ensure they finish in the top four but anything less will see them face an anxious wait.
Steve O'Keefe (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Steve O'Keefe returned from injury to take 4 for 18 to help defeat Thunder in the Sixers' last outing - but is set to retire at the end of the campaign.
The 37-year-old has been sidelined with calf and finger injuries but made a valuable contribution in the all-important derby fixture.
“I think it’ll be highly unlikely for me to go around again next year," he said. "I’m just going to enjoy this year.
“It gets tougher and tougher each year to get up, and even tougher when you’re not training as much as you used to.
“It’ll be something that’ll probably be discussed in November, and we’ll see how everything is looking, but I won’t be searching for it (a new deal). We’ve got some great kids at the club who deserve an opportunity now."
Liverpudlian Ian Cockbain has landed on his feet at Strikers after being drafted for the twilight of BBL 11.
He had been spending the winter at Victorian side Lanwarrin but was called up after a recommendation from Daniel Worrall.
An unbeaten 35 helped secure a shock win over Scorchers and he added 17 in the loss to Melbourne Stars.
“I‘ve played quite a lot of cricket over the years so it wasn’t too hard to wrap my head around things,” Cockbain said.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind week but once I was here and got out onto the field it wasn’t too bad.
“Over the years I’ve always thrown my hat in the ring to play in the BBL and to finally get the phone call … it was a really nice phone call to receive.
“I‘ve batted at No.3 most of my career, I’m used to it, but getting out here in the Big Bash and playing at Adelaide Oval was very exciting.”
Darren Close and Phil Gillespie are the men in the middle for this one.
A clear afternoon is anticipated in Adelaide, with temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius.
Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, George Garton, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall, Daniel Drew
Sydney Sixers: Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird (Lawrence Neil-Smith), Daniel Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Chris Jordan (first five matches), Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (Nick Winter), Ben Manenti, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince
Ian Cockbain was a surprise call-up for Strikers (Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Adelaide Strikers: Matt Short, Harry Nielsen, Ian Cockbain, Jonathan Wells, Matt Renshaw, Jake Weatherald, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed, Harry Conway
Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird Steve O'Keefe
Sixers start as big favourites, with bookies offering odds of 4/7 for them to prevail. Strikers are available at 11/8.
Sixers are not second in the table for nothing and despite Strikers being desperate for the victory it is hard to look past the defending champions.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)
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